UpPour 2011: Honoring Former Nebraska Children and Families Foundation Board Member Bill White and Jean White (posthumously)

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation recognizes there are those that do good works, and those that make rain. Bill and late wife Jean have dedicated their lives to being Rainmakers for children in Nebraska.

On a beautifully warm day in August, special friends and supporters gathered at the Riverside Country Club in Grand Island to honor the White’s as the 2011 Grace Abbott Award Recipient at the third annual UpPour event. This event celebrates the many individuals and organizations who work each day to enhance and support programs and policies that make real change for our most vulnerable children and families.

Grand Island was the perfect setting for the award as the Abbott Sisters, Grace and Edith were Grand Island natives, before going on to becoming champions for child labor laws and child welfare across the nation. Bill and Jean always believed in working behind the scenes for children. Tim White, Bill and Jean’s son said, “They always said they felt you could accomplish more by focusing on the problem at hand rather than drawing attention to themselves.”

Both Bill and Jean have been extremely active in their community and state. In addition to their extensive work with Nebraska Children and Families Foundation they were involved with the Red Cross, United Way, St. Francis Hospital Foundation, National Coalition of Juvenile Justice, their church and several other non-profits.

As Bill took the podium to accept the award, it was apparent that he felt the honor belonged to many and not just to him. His words were heartfelt and thoughtful as he said that "Our conscience is a law written on our heart." He explained that this conscience of the heart knows no political or religious boundaries. He believes that the conscience of the heart is what inspires people and communities to do amazing things. He related this to the power of philanthropy, the work of Grace Abbott, and the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation.

The event, hosted by Kim and Tom Dinsdale was attended by Governor Dave Heineman, First Lady Sally Ganem, and 90 or so others who traveled from all across the state and nation to honor the Whites.

Past recipients of the Grace Abbott Award include: Dick Holland; Dr. Doug Christensen; A. Mike Alesio; Senator Kathy Campbell; Donna Tubach Davis; JoAnn LeBaron; Ally Milder (posthumous); BryanLGH Medical Center; Cabela’s; ConAgra Foods; Duncan Aviation; and First National Bank.

Learn more about how you can become a Rainmaker call 402-817-2002 or email Wendy McCown.

A special thanks to our 2011 corporate sponsors

St. Francis Medical Center
H&H Distributing
Carl and Karen Brasee
U.S. Bank
Peetz & Co.
Prairie Life Fitness, Dean & Jessie Rasmussen
Max Larsen
Medibadge, Inc
P & L Technology
The Pinnacle Agency
RDG Planning & Design